Enclosure



March 28, 1939. J VQLK I 2,152,368

ENCLOSURE Filed Jan, 28, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOSEPH A. VOL/1 ATTORN EY March 28', 1939.

' J. A. VOLK ENCLOSURE Filed Jan. 28, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOSEPH A. VoLK ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 28, 1939" anonosunn Joseph A. Volk, Wilton, o'oim. Application January 28,1938, Serial No. 187,440

UNITED sTATEs separated from the main part 01' the store so 10 that deliverymen who are allowed to open the entrance door with a pass key, can deposit their.

goods within such enclosure without being able to enter the main part or the store itself.

Various kinds of enclosures or compartments 15 oi. this general type have already been proposed. Some of these known structures are so designed that they can be removed entirely from their intendedplace of use and be stored away during business hours. Usually, they are diflicult to be 20 reassembled and installed and require considerable time and eilort for such assembly and installation aside from the space they assume when not in use.

Other structures used by the prior art are oi. 25 the retractable type in which the elements which ultimately form the walls of the enclosureare suspended from the ceiling and consist, for example, of. series of bars which by means of a motor and a system of pulleys are lowered to 30 form a lattice. This type oi! structure has the great disadvantage that any person within the enclosure attempting to steal goods from the store only needs to pass arm or a suitable tool as commonly used in stores for taking goods 35 from high shelves, through'the latticework of the enclosure to grasp and withdraw through the openings of the walls any goods within reach and of sufflciently small size. Furthermore, these retractable lattice walls-have to consist of 40 metallic bars, for example, of steel, so that conthe store proper and the passage of grasping tools through openings in the walls thereof.

Another object of the invention resides in forming annclosure, the walls of which can 55 be set up or retracted simultaneously. T

T'PVATENT OFFICE- 13 Claims. (01. 135-5) Another object consists in constructing such an enclosure, the walls of which are of flexible sheet material which can be wound or unwound simultaneously. I 7

Still another object resides in forming a plurality of curtains which are angularly disposed to one another and are wound upon or unwound from a plurality of shafts forming a top frame.

Another object of the invention resides in forming an enclosure or compartment, the walls of which can be pivoted relative to a fixed support such as a wall or door frame so as to assume various shapes and positions relative" to such fixed support.

Another object consists in constructing an enclosure, the walls of which can be securely locked ,to one another and to the ground, and the operating mechanism of which issuspended from a wall and from the ceiling of a store or similar room so that any access to the store except by a person authorized to unlock and open the enclosure is eflectivelyprevented.

Another object of the present invention resides in designing a delivery enclosure which can be operated manually and which is of relatively inexpensive and simple construction.

Features of the invention consist in: universal means for connecting and rotating the shafts of the top frame of the enclosure; a plurality of roll-curtains which, when in unwound condition, can be securely connected with one another; means for hinging the walls of the enclosure to a-fixed support 'such as a wall and for pivoting the entire enclosure relative to such a fixed support; means for changing the shape, position and capacity of such enclosure; means for locking the walls of the enclosure relative to each other, relative to the-fixed support or wall and relative to the ground or floor by the use of a single lockingdevice, such as a padlock; and means for interlacing the individual walls of the enclosure with one another.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in greater detail from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken along lines 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 4 but showing another part of the enclosure device.

Fig. 6 is a reduced rear view.

- Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken along lines 11 of Fig. 4.

- Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken along lines 8-8 of ,Fig. 2.

Before describing the present improvements and mode of operation thereof in detail it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings,

which are merely illustrative of the present preferred embodiments, since the invention is capable of other embodiments, and the phraseology employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation;

Asshown in Fig. 1, a topframe I8 consisting of a plurality of interconnected tubular shafts II may be secured by means: of hinges I2 to the jambs I3 of the entrance door of a' store so that the top frame In assumes substantially the shape of a parallelogram and can swing or turn as a unit about the hinges I2 and relative to the door I4; or the hinges I2 may be secured in various other places of the front walls I5 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1; or one or both hinges may be secured to one or both side walls I6,-so that the framelll may assume various angular shapes.

The hinges I2 shown in the drawings preferably consist of balls I1 rigidly secured to the ends .of shafts I8 and I9 and held within sockets 28 which, in turn, are secured to the door jamb I3 or to the walls a short distance below the ceiling,

so that the shafts I8 and I9 can rotate about their own axes and pivot relative to the sockets.

Shafts I8 and I9 are provided at their rear ends with balls 2I which are secured by means of sockets 22 to stubs 23'and 24. Each of balls 2| 4. is provided with a circumferential groove 25 in which a pin 26 secured in socket 22 engages so as to permit pivotal movement of shafts I8 and I9 relative to stubs 23and 24 in all directions. Shaft 21 is likewise provided with short stubs 28 and 29. As shown particularly in Fig. 3, stubs 23 and 28 of shafts I8 and-21, respectively, extend into a housing 38, the walls 3I and 32 of which serve as bearings for the stubs, and carry, at

their free ends interengagingbevel gears 33 and 34, while stubs 24 and 29 of shafts I9 and 21, respectively, extend into a housing 35 and carry at their free ends worm gears 36 and 31, respectively, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. A shaft .38 which is provided at its lower end with a hook 39 extends into housing 35 and has secured to its upper end a worm 40 which is interposed between and engages with gears 36 and 31. Thus, if the hook 39 is rotated by a suitable hooked rod or the like, shafts I8 and I9 are turned in opposite directions to each other and all three shafts I8, I9 and 21 are rotated simultaneously.

Housings 30 and 35 are preferably secured to the ceiling III of the store by means of a suspension 42 comprising a rail- 43 which is passed of housings 30 and 35, is provided with a bifurcated upper end 48 and is adjustably secured to rail 43 by a collar 49 positioned intermediate the sheets are secured at the upper end thereof to the respective shafts I8, I9 and 21 by tacking, gluing or the like.

The lower ends of curtains 50 and 5I are pro- ,vided; with looped portions 53 through which tubular rods 54, 55 and 56, respectively, are passed. As shown in Fig. 3, rods 54 and 55 of the lateral curtains 50 and SI are open at their.forward ends and provided with a ring or eye 51 at their rear ends, while rod 21 of the intermediate curtain 52 has a similar ring or eye 58 secured to each end. The eyes 58 of the intermediate rod 21 are connected to the eyes 51 of the lateral rods I8 and I9 by links 59. i

Studs 68 are rigidly fixed by means of brackets 6I to the front or sidewalls I5 and I6 near the floor 62 in a position corresponding to that of hinges I2, and are designed to enter the open ends of rods I8 and I9. Bores 63 are provided in rods I8 and I9 near the rear ends thereof and adjacent curtains 58 and 5I. Bolts 64 which have an eye 65 at their upper ends are passed through said bores 63 and a collar 66, and are screwed into sockets 61 which are sunk into the floor and secured thereto by screws or nails 68. As shown in Fig. 3, the position of bores 63 and sockets 61 is such that the forward end of rods I8 and I9 is located closely adjacent the brackets 6| when bolts 64 are passed through bores 63 and are screwed into sockets 61. Since rods I8, I9

interlocking the sides of. the adjacent curtainsand for. locking the forward side of thelateral curtains to the walls of the store. the adjacent sides of the curtainsmay be provided with a series ofslide fastener elements of any well-known typewhich may be interconnected or separated by means of the usual sliding element which maybe locked to the bolt 64 by any suitable locking means.

In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, curtains 50, 5I and 52 are provided near their lateral edges with eyelets 69; One or more cords or cables 10 are passed through the eyelets 69 of the adjacent curtains so as to interlace the same. In order to prevent unauthorized persons from loosening the cables, they may be passed through the eyelets from the opposite ends of the curtains toward the middle thereof. The free ends II ofthe cables used to interlace the two sides of the rear curtain 52 to the respective side curtains 58 and SI are then passed across 'the middle of curtain 52 and tied to each other, as shown in Fig. 6, or secured to each other in any other manner.

For securing the side curtains 59 and 5| to the wall, eye bolts I6 are screwed into .the latter at intervals substantially corresponding to the in- For example,

curtains 58 and 5|. However, the looped p'ortions 12 of these eye bolts 16 are of smaller diameter than the diameter of the eyes 69 in the curtains so that the latter can be passed over the loops 12, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. Two rods 13, each of which has an eye portion 14 at one end, are then passed near the middle height of the curtains upwardly and downwardly, respectively, through the loops 12 and a padlock 15 or the like is inserted through the eyes 14 to lock the rods 13 against withdrawal. Obviously, the rods 13 must be of stiff but sufiiciently flexible material to permit them to be bent slightly for their insertion in the loops I2.

In place of the pair of rods 13 at each of the curtains 50 and Si, a single rod may be used. However, due to its length, such a rod would have to be quite flexible to permit its insertion into the loops l2, and the lock should then be passed through an eye at the end of the rod and through the lowest loop 12'.

As already indicated, all of the curtains can easily be raised and lowered simultaneously when separated from each other ,by turning the crank 39 in one direction or another. After the curtains have been lowered, the bolts .64 are passed through the rods l8 and I9 and screwed into sockets 61 and then the cords or cables 10 are passed through the eyelets 69 of the adjacent sides of the curtains and through the eyes 65 of bolts 64 and tied or locked to each other. Thereupon, the eyelets at theforward ends of curtains l8 and I9 are passed over the corresponding eye bolts 16, the rod or rods 13 are threaded into the loops '2 of these eye bolts, and padlocks 15 are inserted into the eyes 14 of the rods 13 and locked.

Inasmuch as the eye bolts 16 are turned inwardly of the enclosure, as shown in Fig. 8 of the-drawings, the rods 13 and padlocks 15 can be inserted and removed from the inside of the enclosure after every other locking element has been secured.

By changing the position of hinges l2, any desirable shape and size of the enclosure may be obtained. Furthermore, the entire enclosure may be placed at various angles relative to the front wall so that it may be swung and secured clear of any tables, cabinets, piles of goods or other articles, as indicatedfor example by numeral H in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Variations and modifications may be made.

shafts; means for connecting said shafts to one another to permit angular motion of said shafts relative to each other in any direction; and means for rotating said shafts simultaneously, for winding and unwinding saidsheet.

2. Anenclosure comprising at least two shafts in angular position to one another; at least one sheet of flexible material secured to one of said shafts; a fixed element; means for hingedly seouting at least one of said shafts at one end to the fixed element; means for connecting said shafts to one another to permit angular motion of said shafts relative to each other in any direction; and means for rotating said shafts simultaneously, for winding and unwinding said sheet.

3. An enclosure comprising at least two shafts in angular position to one another; at least two sheets of flexible material each secured to one of said shafts; means interposed between said shafts for winding said sheets simultaneously upon said shafts and for unwinding them simultaneously therefrom; and a universal joint interconnecting one of said shafts with said means.

4. An enclosure comprising at least twoshafts; fixed supporting means; means for hingedly securing said two shafts to said fixed supporting means; a third shaft; means for pivotally connecting said two shafts to the third shaft; at least three curtains each secured to one of said shafts; and means for winding said curtains simultaneously upon said shafts and for unwinding them simultaneously therefrom.

'5. An enclosure comprising a top frame including at least three shafts; at least three sheets of flexible material each secured to one of said shafts; means for connecting said shafts to permit angular motion of said shafts relative to each other in any direction; means for securing said shafts in angular position to one another; means for maintaining said top frame in elevated position above the floor; and means for winding said sheets simultaneously upon said shafts and for unwinding them simultaneously therefrom.

6. An enclosure comprising a top frame including at least two shafts in angular position to one another; at least two sheets of flexible material each secured at one end to one of said shafts; fixed supporting means; means for securing each of said shafts at one end to said fixed supporting means; means interposed between said shafts for rotating said shafts simultaneously for'winding said sheets thereupon and for unwinding them therefrom; a universal joint interconnecting one of said shafts with said rotating means; and means for interconnecting the adjacent sides of said sheets when in unwound position.

7. An enclosure comprising a top frame including at least two shafts; a third shaft; at least three sheets of flexible material each secured at one end to one of said shafts; fixed supporting means; means for securing two of said shafts at one end to said fixed supporting means; means for connecting said two shafts to the third shaft to permit angular motion of all of said shafts relative to each other in any direction; means for rotating all of said shafts simultaneously for winding said sheets thereupon and for unwinding them therefrom; means for interconnecting the adjacent sides of said sheets when in unwound position; and means for locking said sheets to the floor.

8. An enclosure comprising a top frame including at least two shafts; a third shaft; at least three sheets of flexible material each secured at one end to one of said shafts; fixedsupporting means; means for securing two of said shafts at one end to said fixed supporting means; means for connecting said two shafts to the third shaft to permit angular motion-of all of said shafts relative to each other in any direction; means for rotating all of said shafts simultaneously for winding saidsheets thereupon and for unwinding them therefrom; and means including at least one rod secured to the other end of at least'one of said sheets; means for interconnecting the adjacent sides of said sheets when in unwound position; and means for locking said rod to the fioor.

9. An enclosure comprising a top frame including at least two shafts; a third shaft; said shafts being angularly disposed to one another;

. at least three sheets of flexible material each secured at one end to one of said shafts; flxed supporting means; means for connecting said two shafts to the third shaft to permit angular motion of all of said shafts relative to each other in any direction; means for rotating all of said shafts simultaneously for winding said sheets thereupon and for unwinding them therefrom; at least three rods each secured to the other end of. said sheets; means for looking said rods to the floor when said sheets are in unwound position; and means for interconnecting the adjacent sides of said sheets with one another and with said locking means.

10. An enclosure comprising a top frame including at least two shafts; a third shaft; at least three sheets of flexible material each secured at one end to one of said shafts; fixed supporting means; means for securing two of said shafts at one end to said fixed supporting means; means for connecting said two shafts to the third shaft to permit angular motion of all of said shafts relative to each other in any direction; means for rotating all of said shafts simultaneously for winding'said sheets thereupon and for unwinding them therefrom; .at least three rods each secured to the other end of said sheets; means for interlocking the adjacent ends of said rods; means for locking said rods to the floor when said sheets are in unwound position; and means for interlocking the adjacent sides of said sheets.

11. An enclosure comprising-a top frame including at least two shafts; a third shaft; said shafts being angularly disposed to one another; fixed supporting means; means for hingedly securing one end of each of said two shafts to said fixed supporting means; means for connecting the other end of each of said two shafts to the third shaft to permit angular motion of all of said shafts relative to each other in any direction; at least three sheets of flexible material each secured at one end to one of said shafts; means on one shaft for rotating all of said shafts simultaneously for winding said sheets upon said shafts and for unwinding them therefrom; at least three rods each secured to the other end of said sheets; means for interoonnecting'the adjacent ends of said rods; means for locking said rods 'to the floor when said sheets are in unwound position; and means for interlacing the adjacent sides of said sheets with one another and with said locking means.

12. An enclosure comprising a top frame including at least two shafts; a third shaft; means for connecting one end of each'of said two shafts to the third shaft to permit angular motion of' means.

13. An enclosure comprising a top frame including at least twoshafts; a third shaft; at least one sheet of flexible material secured to one of said shafts; means for connecting one end of each of said two shafts to the third shaft and for adjusting said shafts at various angles toward one another; and means for rotating said shafts simultaneously for winding and unwinding said sheet. JOSEPH A. VOLK. 

